Karin A. (Jerseygirltoo) -
Helpful Score: 3
Another great book by Liz Carlyle. She's one of the most consistent top notch authors of historical romance around. I'll never understand why her books don't have longer waiting lists here. Her writing is of an excellent quality, never anything sloppy or trite. Her characters have a lot of depth. Even the villains are three dimensional. The stories are emotional but with a touch of humor. I love it that Edward and Kate, the hero and heroine, are both adults with grown up real life problems. The conflicts in the story are real, not silly misunderstandings like in some books, that could have been resolved if the main characters had an honest five minute conversation.
Liz Carlyle always gives us a great heroes, and this book is no exception; Edward is gorgeous, intense, intelligent and conflicted. Kate is also very intelligent, capable and loving, but has given up on the possibility of marriage because of all her family responsibilities. Carlyle is great at writing about families. In this book, the heroine's mother has her quirks and imperfections, she's made a lot of mistakes in her life, but she's not a bad person. So when everything is resolved, and not only Edward and Kate, but Kate's sister and mother also get their HEA, I felt a real sense of satisfaction.
Edward Quartermaine played a small part in several previous books by this author, so it's part of a loosely connected series, but you definitely don't have to have read them to fully enjoy this book. But read them anyway, they're all great stories. In a few of them, there are some minor paranormal elements, but in this book she's gone back to straight historical romance.
Liz Carlyle always gives us a great heroes, and this book is no exception; Edward is gorgeous, intense, intelligent and conflicted. Kate is also very intelligent, capable and loving, but has given up on the possibility of marriage because of all her family responsibilities. Carlyle is great at writing about families. In this book, the heroine's mother has her quirks and imperfections, she's made a lot of mistakes in her life, but she's not a bad person. So when everything is resolved, and not only Edward and Kate, but Kate's sister and mother also get their HEA, I felt a real sense of satisfaction.
Edward Quartermaine played a small part in several previous books by this author, so it's part of a loosely connected series, but you definitely don't have to have read them to fully enjoy this book. But read them anyway, they're all great stories. In a few of them, there are some minor paranormal elements, but in this book she's gone back to straight historical romance.
Miranda M. (Governess4hire) reviewed In Love with a Wicked Man (MacLachlan, Bk 9) on + 146 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Whee... that was fun! This book left me quite pleased, albeit a little breathless, at the end. Such a witty, wicked, sexy, and enjoyable read with a splendid HEA.
The only problem I have with the book--dont judge me but I look at covers--is that the Edward is BLONDE headed in this story, not dark brown or black like the inside cover suggests.
The hero and heroine are so well written. Kate and Edward have a chemistry that sizzles off the pages. Yes, the intense attraction between the couple is just buttercream icing on the cake.
Kate, love, are you sure?
She nodded, and reached for him. Oh, Edward, she whispered, I am so sure.
It was the sound of his name on her lips that nearly broke him.
I am sure of you, she went on. I am sure this is right.
God help him, but he was sure, too.
And even then, Edward knew that a part of him was holding the truth at bay. he felt in that moment as if he could have remained by her side forever, lost in the sweetness of her. Lost in the solitude of this place, and the steady warmth of Kates gaze.
And he knew, just as surely, that it would never be. That he was taking what he did not deserve. Tainting, perhaps, a pure innocence. And for an instant, he felt the hot press of tears behind his eyes again.
Make love to me, she murmured. Pleasure me. Please.
He hadnt the strength to say the word that honor required. Perhaps he hadnt any honor at all. He did not know.
I will, love, he assured her. In time. But youre the sort of woman a man should love slowly.
Kate is written as not very pretty, or rather, just plain. I came to think of her as beautiful. Her personality shines. I loved this heroine.
Edward.... ah, dear Edward. Yes, hes one hunky hero. I would be wicked with him any day. I adore bad boys.
Theres depth here, and Ms. Carlyle peels through the layers until weve unknowingly invest ourselves in the characters. I simply adore the secondary characters as well and theres even a pug in this story. Who doesnt love an adorable dog that brings a little laughter to the story? Loved little Filou... um, fat Filou.
But it was not just a friendship, was it? It had become far more the moment he kissed her that afternoon by her parlor window. He hadnt even known who the hell he was, but the moment Kate had opened beneath him, sighing so sweetly into his mouth, he had known that he was lost.
He had claimed her in that moment--in his heart if not his head--and she had been his ever after. Except that he had never told her so. He had never told her that he loved her. Never confessed to her that something inside him had altered; had torn from its moorings and flown to her, and that she now held his heart, bitter and scarred as it was, in her slender but capable hands.
It was such a fun read that I zipped through it in just 2 days.
Hurry, hurry, Ms. Carlyle! Im ready for more.
Kate, I love you so, he said. Do you love me?
Desperately, damn you, she said impatiently. I confessed as much some days ago.
I love it when you curse, he said, the words muffled against her throat.
I never did so before, she said. I wonder why the tendency has so lately come upon me?
He laughed again, and let his lips slide down the long, pale turn of her neck. Kate, my beautiful seductress, I will give up all my wicked ways and quit London and gaming both if--
Good, she interjected. You should. Wickedness is never rewarded, no matter what Aurelie says.
Read this book and youll continue to smile to the end. ;)
http://loveshistorical.wordpress.com/2014/01/03/review-in-love-with-a-wicked-man/
The only problem I have with the book--dont judge me but I look at covers--is that the Edward is BLONDE headed in this story, not dark brown or black like the inside cover suggests.
The hero and heroine are so well written. Kate and Edward have a chemistry that sizzles off the pages. Yes, the intense attraction between the couple is just buttercream icing on the cake.
Kate, love, are you sure?
She nodded, and reached for him. Oh, Edward, she whispered, I am so sure.
It was the sound of his name on her lips that nearly broke him.
I am sure of you, she went on. I am sure this is right.
God help him, but he was sure, too.
And even then, Edward knew that a part of him was holding the truth at bay. he felt in that moment as if he could have remained by her side forever, lost in the sweetness of her. Lost in the solitude of this place, and the steady warmth of Kates gaze.
And he knew, just as surely, that it would never be. That he was taking what he did not deserve. Tainting, perhaps, a pure innocence. And for an instant, he felt the hot press of tears behind his eyes again.
Make love to me, she murmured. Pleasure me. Please.
He hadnt the strength to say the word that honor required. Perhaps he hadnt any honor at all. He did not know.
I will, love, he assured her. In time. But youre the sort of woman a man should love slowly.
Kate is written as not very pretty, or rather, just plain. I came to think of her as beautiful. Her personality shines. I loved this heroine.
Edward.... ah, dear Edward. Yes, hes one hunky hero. I would be wicked with him any day. I adore bad boys.
Theres depth here, and Ms. Carlyle peels through the layers until weve unknowingly invest ourselves in the characters. I simply adore the secondary characters as well and theres even a pug in this story. Who doesnt love an adorable dog that brings a little laughter to the story? Loved little Filou... um, fat Filou.
But it was not just a friendship, was it? It had become far more the moment he kissed her that afternoon by her parlor window. He hadnt even known who the hell he was, but the moment Kate had opened beneath him, sighing so sweetly into his mouth, he had known that he was lost.
He had claimed her in that moment--in his heart if not his head--and she had been his ever after. Except that he had never told her so. He had never told her that he loved her. Never confessed to her that something inside him had altered; had torn from its moorings and flown to her, and that she now held his heart, bitter and scarred as it was, in her slender but capable hands.
It was such a fun read that I zipped through it in just 2 days.
Hurry, hurry, Ms. Carlyle! Im ready for more.
Kate, I love you so, he said. Do you love me?
Desperately, damn you, she said impatiently. I confessed as much some days ago.
I love it when you curse, he said, the words muffled against her throat.
I never did so before, she said. I wonder why the tendency has so lately come upon me?
He laughed again, and let his lips slide down the long, pale turn of her neck. Kate, my beautiful seductress, I will give up all my wicked ways and quit London and gaming both if--
Good, she interjected. You should. Wickedness is never rewarded, no matter what Aurelie says.
Read this book and youll continue to smile to the end. ;)
http://loveshistorical.wordpress.com/2014/01/03/review-in-love-with-a-wicked-man/
Joan W. (justreadingabook) reviewed In Love with a Wicked Man (MacLachlan, Bk 9) on + 1712 more book reviews
A great fun time! Who doesn't love when the hero loses his memory and gets it back but pretends he hasn't. Lots of tension, fun, witty banter and the storyline was well done and kept a great pace.
